Community Corner
🌱 How an $8,000 gift will boost Reading kids’ early education
Coming up on the Reading Patch calendar: Pre-K Storytime
Good day Reading! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How an $8,000 gift will boost Reading kids’ early education
- Which Reading programs just landed new state funding this year?
- See what striking new sculpture just joined Reading Public Museum’s collection
Also on today's calendar: Cirque Dreams Holidaze and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 30 and low of 21 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 44, low: 24.
- Thursday: An afternoon shower in spots, with a high of 48 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Mid Penn Bank donates $8,000 to YMCA of Reading & Berks (readingeagle.com) — Mid Penn Bank has directed $8,000 in state tax credits to the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, boosting scholarships and classroom resources at local Early Learning Centers. The funding supports STAR 4-rated programs in Reading and nearby Richmond, helping families afford childcare while strengthening early education and the local workforce. 
2. Berks County organizations receive funds through state Neighborhood Assistance Program (berksweekly.com) — New state Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits are sending significant funding to projects in Reading and Berks County, backing food access, housing, and workforce programs. Local beneficiaries include Helping Harvest’s Community Kitchen and Annex in Reading, Our City Reading Inc., Safe Berks, Reading Hospital Foundation, and the Reading Science Center. The support aims to strengthen food security, housing, education, and neighborhood safety for city residents.
3. Reading Public Museum acquires sculpture by Peruvian-American artist Kukuli Velarde (berksweekly.com) — Reading Public Museum has added a major ceramic sculpture by Peruvian-born, Philadelphia-based artist Kukuli Velarde to its permanent collection, chosen at the museum’s recent Purchase Party. The work deepens the museum’s focus on Latin American art and will be on view for local visitors, with special free admission benefits continuing for Reading School District students and their guests.
4. Officials dedicate historical marker to Civil War hospital in Reading City Park (readingeagle.com) — A new historical marker in Reading City Park now honors the Civil War-era Fairground Hospital and the women of the Ladies Volunteer Aid Association of Reading who cared for wounded soldiers. Local nursing leaders, historians, and city officials, including Mayor Eddie Moran, gathered in the cold to unveil the plaque. The marker permanently ties a familiar park spot to a largely overlooked chapter of Reading’s past.
5. Reading considers revising agreement with Parking Authority (wfmz.com) — Reading City Council is weighing a revised agreement with the Parking Authority that locks in at least $1.25 million in annual payments to the city starting in 2026 and sets detailed terms for 250 employee parking spaces. Council will also vote next week on easing hiring rules for electrical inspectors, adjusting the city budget for parking costs, and granting a six‑month moratorium on new Hampden Boulevard parking fines.
📸 Around Reading
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reading
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Pre-K Storytime
Reading Public Library, 100 S 5th St, Reading
10:45 am
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Bereavement Group (Hybrid)
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissing Blvd , Reading
7:00 pm - Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissing Blvd , Reading
8:00 am - 12 Days of Crafting
Reading Public Library, Children's Department , 100 S 5th St , Reading
3:30 pm - Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Santander Arena , 700 Penn St , Reading
7:30 pm - Divine Liturgy
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissing Blvd , Reading
9:00 am - therapy dog visit
Reading Public Library , 100 S 5th St , Reading
3:00 pm - Wing Night! — Reading Liederkranz
Reading Liederkranz , 143 Spook Ln , Reading
4:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
📣 Reading Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Divine Liturgy
Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church , 1001 E Wyomissing Blvd , Reading
9:00 am - Preschool Story Time
Mifflin Community Library , 6 Philadelphia Ave , Shillington
10:00 am - Personnel Committee
Wyomissing Borough, PA Calendar , 22 Reading Blvd , Wyomissing
12:00 pm - Southeast Chapter Christmas Party – Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Doc & Bubba's , 4312 New Holland Rd , Mohnton
5:30 pm
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My cat Abby has gotten out of the house last nite .
He is a make cat.., black and White around 3200 block of Perkiomen Friendly but prob scared . (Nextdoor Reiffton) - Good evening, anyone know this young man?
It’s not a huge crime but we paid him to shovel our sidewalk and driveway. He never did sidewalk and we didn’t notice until we took trash out this… (Nextdoor Glenside)
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager Up to $20/per hour to start in Reading. Apply here.
- Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Reading. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.
Ok Reading! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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